A COLLEGE lecturer died from injuries he sustained in a bicycle smash seven years earlier.

A Flint inquest heard yesterday how Malcolm Hutchinson crashed into road signs after a van - thought to have suffered a 'blow out' - veered into him.

North East Wales coroner John Hughes said he suffered "fearful" head injuries in the accident on August 17, 1996.

Mr Hutchinson, 57, lived in Chambers Lane, Mynydd Isa, near Mold, at the time of the crash.

He died in Pendine Park nursing home at Gwersyllt, near Wrexham, on March 26 from bronchial pneumonia caused by cerebral injuries.

The coroner yesterday praised the courage and maturity of the family who decided no aggressive medical measures be used to revive Mr Hutchinson as his quality of life was so poor.

Because police decided there would be no prosecution, Mr Hughes said full details of the collision were not retained. But from records he knew Mr Hutchinson was riding along the A494 when the collision occurred 150 yards on the Ewloe side of its junction with Pinfold Lane.

After the accident Mr Hutchinson was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital with "massive head injuries" and his family was warned to expect the worst.

He fought back and was stabilised but the accident left him unable to carry out routine tasks and he was confined to a wheelchair.

Mr Hughes, recording a verdict of accidental death, said: "No one hearing that tribute could fail to be moved. I think the family attitude throughout has been incredibly mature and sensible in allowing Mr Hutchinson to die with dignity."

He and his wife, Melita, had a son Lesley and a daughter Nicola.

In 1980 the couple moved from Little Sutton to Mynydd Isa and Mr Hutchinson started work as a lecturer in engineering management at Deeside College, in Connah's Quay.